SCHOOLCHILDREN HAVE A SPRING IN THEIR STEP AFTER WILDFLOWER PLANTING AT ASHFORD DEVELOPMENT

As government research reveals that over 97% of wildflower meadows have been lost since the 1930s, with flower-rich grassland now only covering 1% of the UK’s land area , local housebuilder Barratt Homes invited the next generation of gardeners at Chilmington Green Primary School to sow a miniature wildflower meadow at its Chilmington Green development on 29th March.

The event saw children from Chilmington Green Primary School visit the development to sow RSPB-accredited wildflower seeds to encourage bees and butterflies. Once fully grown, the wildflowers will improve pollinating biodiversity by providing a food source for local wildlife. The housebuilder also donated a number of trowels and seed packets to the school.

The planting forms just a small part of Barratt Kent’s commitment to creating a home for nature at Chilmington Green, as the wider development also includes open space areas with trees, shrubs, low level planting, and two ponds to allow nature to flourish.
Natalie Perry, Sales and Marketing Director for Barratt Kent, comments: “At Barratt Kent we want to protect local ecosystems, and by collectively introducing small sustainable initiatives such wildflower planting, we hope to make a valuable contribution towards supporting our urban wildlife. We are proud to work with our local primary school to educate the next generation of young gardeners and demonstrate the big impact that wild planting has on our environment. We look forward to seeing the wildflowers sprout now that better weather is on the way!”

Zoe Arscott, teacher at Chilmington Primary School, adds: “The children thoroughly enjoyed planting the wildflower seeds and trying their hand at gardening for the first time. Research from the Wildlife trust survey suggests that 81% of children feel more calm and relaxed in nature , and with the wellbeing of our children our top priority, initiatives like this are so important. A large percentage of the children who attend our school live on the Chilmington Green development, so they are excited to reap the rewards of what they sow!”